BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

VOIS Blo Mere Solomon (VBMS) and Women for Peace Network in Solomon Islands have strongly condemned the recent gang rape of a 13-year-old girl in weathercoast, Guadalcanal.

This was in response to the news report bearing the headline; “South Guadalcanal rape case disclosed in court”, in the Solomon Star newspaper.

According to the statement of VBMS and the Women for Peace Network in SI, age alone is not an excuse, culprits must take on the responsibility for their actions as a lesson for everyone. No girls or women deserve to be raped or sexually harassed.

VBMS and the Women for Peace Network in SI says over the past two decades, mothers have constantly spoken out against all forms of violence during meetings, consultations, peace programmes, peace vigils and prayers, annual campaigns as well as using the media.

“Their voices have also been highlighted and documented in chapter ten of the TRC report and the SI National Action Plan for Women for Peace and Security launched this year.

“We have provided to our best knowledge of our local context the best way forward for SI in peace building.

“They say they have spoken in the past and will continue to speak out against all forms of violence of any kind towards women and girls.”

The statement calls on the Government and all peace and security stakeholders to act now by providing resources towards these frameworks and plans of action is very important to show seriousness in addressing all forms of violence in our country.

“When this happens many of the underlying issues identified such as gender inequality, human rights and responsibilities, gender and social norms and attitudes and behaviours of families in SI see change happening.

“We also call on all peace loving peace people of SI to take responsibility in ensuring that girls and women in all communities in Solomon are safe by providing safe and secured environments and continue to speak out against all forms of violence. They say it is time to act.”

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE hearing into the murder case against Martin Rapena has been vacated yesterday in the High Court due to the presiding judge’s ill health.

This case relates to the stabbing incident of January 1, 2015, in the Shortlands Islands.

The allegation said that on New Year’s Eve night, the deceased was drinking alcohol with his friends and then allegedly went to see a female partner.

The following day, on New Year’s Day, the father of the victim went out looking for his son and after locating him somewhere on the point of the village escorted him back home.

It was on their way home, they met with the accused, Rapena.

Rapena then allegedly asked the deceased over love bite marks on his neck.

The deceased then allegedly looked Rapena in the eye and called out the name of Rapena’s sister.

Prosecution said after that conversation the deceased and his father continued on walking towards their home.

At that time Rapena allegedly caught up with them again and allegedly hugged the deceased and stabbed him on his right abdominal before pulling out the knife.

Prosecution also alleged that the accused stabbed the deceased and then went away.

That same day, the deceased was transported to Taro Hospital where he was admitted until the following day where he was further transferred to Gizo Hospital.

He was later flown over to the NRH where he died on January 9, 2015.

The Crown is represented by the Director of Public Prosecution Ronald Bei Talasasa Jr and John Wesley Zoze, while the defendant is represented by Michael Holara of the Public Solicitor’s Office.

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

PRINCIPAL Magistrate Fatimah Taeburi has reminded accused who have been bailed to always appear in court for case hearings.

She reminded them on the obligation to adhere to bail conditions, adding that failure to abide by conditions can result in the person going to custody.

One of the accused who failed to appear on the last occasion is Leslie Melaba who was charged for two counts of official corruption when he was employed by public service.

On the previous occasion the accused did not appear in court; he told court that he had some family issues at home and that he cannot come to court on the last occasion.

Magistrate Taeburi then told him that he must abide by bail conditions; otherwise the cash bail will be forfeited to the state after his case is solved.

The warrant of arrest issued was withdrawn yesterday and his bail conditions maintained.

Also, another accused Albert Samani was told of the same thing yesterday because of his failure to turn up in court on October 9.

When court questioned him why he did not appear in court, Samani said he was confused by the dates.

Court then adjourned the two cases to November 6 for mention.

In relation to Samani’s case it was adjourned for arraignment.

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

PRINCIPAL Magistrate Fatimah Taeburi has urged defence lawyers on the armed robbery incident which occurred early last year outside the BSP bank in Central Honiara to appear in court on November 6.

This is in relation to the case against Richard Rurai, Ramo Stanley, Farobo Ben, Faiga Junior David and Nathaniel Junior Erick who were charged in relation to the incident.

Magistrate Taeburi said that the case was pending court of appeal ruling and since that ruling has been delivered, defence lawyers need to turn up in court so that the case progresses on.

She said that there is no clear confirmation on which lawyer represents which accused and because of that everybody needs to turn up in the next court proceeding.

Two of the accused, Richard Rurai and David Jnr Faiga, appeared in court yesterday while Ben Farobo and Nathaniel Jnr Erick are under warrants of arrest.

Arrest warrant against Farobo was granted yesterday but will be laid in file for review on the next date of appearance.

Police alleged that the four accused were masked and armed with a knife when they attacked two Asian men as they were about to enter the BSP bank.

One of the Asians was struck with a knife and also shot from sling, the court was told.

Police said Rurai admitted in his interview that he, Eric, Faiga and Ramo had planned the robbery.

Police said he admitted having several meetings with the other accused days before the robbery and that they shared some of the money.

Police said only $200,000 has been recovered.

MFMR explains four beche-de-mer exporters

BY JARED KOLI

THE Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) says locals applying for beche-de-mer export licence do not meet criteria ‘one’ and ‘three’ issued by the ministry for this harvest season.

MFMR Permanent Secretary (Acting), Mr Ferral Lasi explained in an interview yesterday that out of the 19 applicants, most of them fall out of these criteria.

Unlike previous years, MFMR has stated that individuals or companies applying to obtain a license must demonstrate to the Ministry that they have met the following requirements:

• Companies holding valid license or permit to export Marine Product in 2017, and evidence of doing business in the fisheries sector in the last 3 years.
• Companies with valid Inland Revenue Division TIN
• Companies with documentary evidence of export returns from Central Bank of Solomon Islands
• Companies with good standing records of compliance with fisheries regulations in the last 3 years

Responding to public outcry over the matter, Mr Lasi said most of the other 15 applicants have never held valid license or permit to export Marine Product in 2017, and evidence of doing business in the fisheries sector in the last 3 years.

“They have no current valid licence on marine resources trading, this means that these companies do not have current valid licence to export marine products – such as shark fins, trochus, reef fish, coral or other marine products.

“Those that were approved have this licence, they have been exporting marine products for the past three years,” Mr Lasi said while referring to the first criteria.

He said locals have also fallen off the third criteria which states companies must poses documentary evidence of export returns from the Central Bank of Solomon Islands.

“All of the other applicants have eliminated because all of them do not meet this criteria as well.

“This is because most of the locals applying are never in that kind of business, they are opportunist traders,” the Acting PS said.

Mr Lasi said some of the locals are agents or front man of foreign business people.

“This is the main reason we do not approve or consider the others, not only Solomon Islanders but other business people applying for the export licence. They have no track record in the trade of marine products,” he said.

Mr Lasi said MFMR is concerned about the threat of export returns from Central Bank of Solomon Islands.

“We do not want earnings from sea cucumber to make money for outside people, they do not have track record and could use the export permit to make money for that limited period of time.

“If they have track record one can tell that the company will invest back into the country and grow the economy.”

He said the bulk of money earned will be invested back into the country and can contribute in economic growth.

Mr Lasi said the four have been decided by the cabinet.

“The issue is that,” Mr Lasi adds, “there are two part ways, one is through cabinet and one is through the Fisheries Act which can make ultimate decisions on the case.”

He said Cabinet should not make such decisions – leave it to the Fisheries but the constitution gives cabinet the upper hand, which the current harvest period is decided on.

“These key points can be hidden when emotions run high and people can only think of the perception that MFMR only awards Asian exporters, but not only on fisheries do we need that but on all the other local resources,” he said.